Human rights and responsibilities

Human rights are the basic freedoms and protections every person is entitled to, such as the right to life, freedom and fair treatment (set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948).

• Responsibilities: rights come with duties — to respect others' rights and to use freedom well.
• Religious basis: many believers ground human dignity in the idea that people are made "in the image of God" (Genesis 1:27), so all deserve respect.
• Non-religious view: Humanists strongly support human rights based on shared humanity, reason and empathy rather than religion.

Shared ground: religious and non-religious people often agree on human rights, even though they explain why in different ways.

Prejudice and discrimination

Prejudice is judging someone unfairly before knowing them; discrimination is acting on prejudice. Examples include racism, sexism and religious discrimination.

• Christianity: teaches loving your neighbour and that all are "one in Christ" (Galatians 3:28); the parable of the Good Samaritan challenges prejudice.
• Islam: teaches the equality of all people before Allah, regardless of race or nation.
• Non-religious view: Humanists oppose all unfair discrimination and campaign for equality on ethical grounds.

Key distinction: prejudice is an attitude (in the mind); discrimination is an action. Both are widely rejected across religious and non-religious views.

Prejudice vs discrimination

Social justice

Social justice means working for a fair society where people are treated equally and have what they need to live with dignity.

• Religious teaching: the Bible calls believers to "act justly and to love mercy" (Micah 6:8); Islam stresses justice ('adl') as central.
• Action: many believers work for justice through charities, campaigning and speaking up for the oppressed — following figures like Martin Luther King Jr, a Christian minister.
• Non-religious view: Humanists actively support social justice, human rights and equality as ethical priorities.

Exam tip: link social justice to concrete examples — charities, campaigns and individuals who fought injustice.

Wealth and poverty

How should people use money, and respond to poverty? Views agree strongly on helping the poor:

• Christianity: wealth is not wrong, but "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil" (1 Timothy 6:10); Christians are called to be generous and help those in need.
• Islam: giving to the poor is a duty — zakah (obligatory charity) and sadaqah (voluntary giving).
• Charities: religious groups run charities such as Christian Aid, CAFOD and Islamic Relief to tackle poverty.
• Non-religious view: Humanists support tackling poverty and inequality through generosity, fair systems and effective aid.

Term → meaning

Tap a term on the left, then its meaning on the right.

Censorship and personal conviction

Censorship is the control or banning of information, speech or media. It raises the question of how far freedom of expression and freedom of religion should go.

• For some limits: some argue certain censorship protects people from harm, hate speech or offence to deeply held beliefs.
• For freedom: others argue free speech and free religion are vital rights that should rarely be restricted.
• Personal conviction: people may follow their conscience even against the law — sometimes through peaceful civil disobedience to challenge injustice.
• Non-religious view: Humanists strongly defend freedom of speech and belief, including the freedom to criticise religion, while opposing incitement to hatred.

Wealth in religious teaching

Religious freedom and tolerance

Living together in a diverse society raises questions about tolerance and freedom of religion or belief.

• Freedom of religion: the right to hold, change or leave a belief, and to worship, is a key human right.
• Tolerance: many faiths teach respect for others, e.g. treating others as you wish to be treated (the "Golden Rule").
• Non-religious view: Humanists support freedom of religion and belief for everyone, including the freedom to be non-religious.

Shared value: respecting people's freedom of belief is supported by both religious and non-religious people, even where they disagree about God.

Standing up for human rights

People put beliefs about human rights into action in many ways:

• Charity and aid: supporting people in poverty at home and abroad.
• Campaigning: speaking out against injustice, e.g. anti-racism and anti-slavery movements.
• Peaceful protest: non-violent action, following figures such as Martin Luther King Jr and others who challenged unjust laws.
• Non-religious view: Humanists and many secular organisations also campaign strongly for human rights worldwide.

Balanced point: religious and non-religious people have both played major roles in advancing human rights.

Social justice

Whose view?

Tap a view, then tap whether it is best described as a religious-based or a non-religious (Humanist) view.

Name the concept

Read each description, then tap the correct term.

Giving in Islam

Human rights

What to know

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